Part Seven: She used to bring me my newspaper, 'cause she knew where it was at.
Carey pondered Laine's warning until she was off duty. No one's ever tried anything like that with me before. I don't see why they'd start now. She walked over to the nearest telephone booth. Let's see . . . they called him Micky, then George Michael Dolenz. Let's see . . . I guess Micky must be short for Michael—of course it is! And he uses Micky instead of his first name. I am so smart!
Carey walked to the nearest phone booth. "Hello, operator? Can I have the listing for Micky Dolenz?" The operator gave Carey his street address and his telephone number. Carey hung up without thanking the operator. Like I said before—he's mine.
"I hope Babbit doesn't notice this."
"Don't worry, he won't. And even if he does, I don't think he'll mind," Gia reassured.
"Davy!" Autumn called. "Your hands don't look wet enough to be doing that."
"They are," Davy replied. But he washed his hands again anyway.
"Micky, catch!" Mallori threw a roll of duct tape downstairs to Micky. Micky ducked as the tape flew toward his face. "Oops," Mallori said. "Sorry."
"It's okay," Micky said as he retrieved the tape.
"Be careful with that paint, Mike," Olivia warned.
Mike rolled his eyes. "Okay, okay."
Autumn ran down the stairs. "Where's the rest of the wallpaper glue?"
"You guys are already wallpapering?"
"Yeah, we're almost done." Autumn found the glue and walked back up the stairs. "My hands are chapping," Davy complained.
"We could get someone else to do that," Mike suggested.
"No, it's okay, I've got it."
"Okay. Olivia, I need some more paint."
Olivia poured more paint in the tray. "Isn't someone going to patch that crack?" she asked.
"I guess someone better." Mike raised his voice. "Fellas? What are we gonna do about this crack in the wall?"
Autumn leaned out of the upstairs bedroom she, Peter and Mallori were wallpapering. "I could do it," she offered. "But it would have to wait a minute, I'm not done in here."
"Okay," Mike conceded, climbing down the ladder. His arms were getting tired anyway.
A few minutes later, Autumn came downstairs. After rummaging around in the shopping bags, Autumn walked over to the kitchen sink. She pulled out a bowl, poured some powder into it from a bag, and then added a little water. Autumn mixed it with her hands, then climbed the ladder with the bowl and some tools.
"Oops!" she exclaimed, and jumped down from her ladder perch. Autumn looked through the shopping bags again briefly. She was soon back on the ladder and applying the muddy mixture she'd made before. "Okay," Autumn said, carefully climbing down the ladder. "Let it dry. Then sand it down a little, and feather the edges with a damp sponge. That should do it. Any more cracks?"
"No, I don't think so. Can you paint it?"
"After it's dry and you've sanded and feathered it, sure." Autumn placed the bowl in the sink with the tools she'd used. Forgetting how dirty they were, Autumn covered her face with her hands.
Mallori and Peter were walking downstairs. Mallori glanced over at Autumn and laughed.
"It's not funny," Autumn informed her calmly. "Don't laugh at me."
Micky, Mike, Olivia, Davy and Gia looked over at Autumn. Their responses ranged from an amused smile to out right guffawing.
"Don't laugh at me," Autumn repeated.
There came a knock at the door. "Why don't you get it, Autumn?" Mallori suggested. Autumn rolled her eyes and answered the door.
Carey was surprised at the appearance of the young woman who opened the door. "Who are you?" she asked in surprise.
"Autumn Carnem. Who are you?"
"Carey Simpson. I'm here to see Micky Dolenz."
"I'll talk to him." Autumn turned away from the door. "Micky, come here." Micky walked over to her. "Do you want to see this stewardess?" Micky peaked around the door.
"I guess so," he said warily. He stepped out from behind the door. "Hi, I'm Micky."
"Hi. My name is Carey Simpson."
"Good for you," he said.
"May I come in?"
"No, we're painting and wall papering and caulking and patching right now."
"Oh. Would you like to go out with me?"
"No," Micky said without skipping a beat.
"Why not?"
"Because I'm busy." And because I'm in love with someone else.
"You don't look very busy." She took hold of both of his hands and started to pull him outside.
"Micky, help!" called Autumn from inside. Micky broke away and walked inside, closing the door behind him.
"What?"
"Listen," Autumn whispered urgently. "If she somehow gets you to go out, she'll ruin your life. She'll use you, and then another girl will, and another, and another—stop the vicious cycle before it starts!"
"I don't want to go out with her."
"I can tell she doesn't care what anyone wants—except for herself."
Gonna Buy Me a Dog Part Eight
back to Gonna Buy Me a Dog Part Six